Credit: adapted from artwork by Vacuum3D
I’ve lived in Oregon for three years now, and only recently have I felt like I’ve adjusted to living here. It’s not that this is a bad place; rather, moving from California seemed like coming from a different planet. The two places couldn’t be more opposite, and sometimes it shocks me that they actually border each other.
Quite often in the first year after we moved I threatened go back home. The people drove too slowly, I couldn’t find one decent Mexican restaurant, I was convinced the radio stations only had three songs they all played on a loop. My significant other would remind me that homesickness clouds our judgment about the place we were so desperate to get out of in the first place.
He was right. I had forgotten about all of the things which really bothered me about my home state because I was so focused on griping about the new place. So I did some side-by-side comparisons, and realized both have their quirks.
Fashion
California: People care too much.
Oregon: People don’t care enough.
Cuisine
California: Best Mexican food.
Oregon: Best food carts.
Driving
California: People drive as though they don’t care about their lives.
Oregon: People drive as though they don’t care about time.
Music
California: Too much Rap mixed with Top 40.
Oregon: Too much Top 40 mixed with Indie.
Lifestyle
California: Notoriously fast-paced.
Oregon: Notoriously laid-back.
Big Box Stores
California: Love ‘em.
Oregon: Hate ‘em.
Weather
California: Too much sun.
Oregon: Too much rain.
Starbucks
California: The only place people drink coffee.
Oregon: The one place people avoid drinking coffee.
Cost of Living
California: You need to sell your plasma on the weekends to make ends meet.
Oregon: You only need to work part-time to afford your own place.
Road Rage
California: A person will tailgate you, follow you into a parking lot and threaten you with a gun.
Oregon: A person will send a scathing glance your way.
Bacon
California: Bacon is the devil.
Oregon: Bacon is God.
Landscape
California: Buildings, building and more buildings.
Oregon: Trees, trees and more trees.
Diversity
California: Every single ethnicity is represented.
Oregon: Diversity? What’s that?
Beer
California: Residents think they know good beer.
Oregon: Residents actually know good beer.
Traffic
California: Tons of people, tons of traffic.
Oregon: A few people driving ridiculously slowly, tons of traffic.
Public Transportation
California: Available, but not worth taking.
Oregon: Available, and worth taking.
Work Ethic
California: Work is life.
Oregon: Work is what you do to pay the bills
Employment
California: Lots of good jobs….if you work in technology.
Oregon: Lots of good jobs….if you work in healthcare.
Vehicles
California: A status symbol.
Oregon: A thing that takes you from one place to another.
Tax
California: Ridiculous sales tax.
Oregon: Ridiculous income tax.
Gas
California: You’re allowed to pump your own gas.
Oregon: The pump is an elusive piece of equipment never to be touched by a lay person.
Seasons
California: Has two: sunny and less sunny.
Oregon: Has all four.
Sports
California: Overzealous Giants and Lakers fans.
Oregon: Overzealous Ducks and Beavers fans.
Thoughts on Other States
California: “There are other states besides California? They don’t count as much as we do.”
Oregon: “We love everyone in the United States except Californians. They’re evil.”
This list confirms why I wanted to move, and why I may be an Oregonian at heart. Sure, it has its pitfalls, but I think it always has a saving grace. You have to appreciate the dampness because you know it brings lots of green and fresh air. You have to appreciate the time you have to pay bills or read a magazine while waiting in line to get your gas pumped. You have to appreciate that the same people driving slowly are also driving safely.
Oregon is not for everyone, but the same could be for California. It all comes down to what’s important to an individual. I thought after I moved here I made the biggest mistake of my life, but after reading the list above, I can honestly say I’m perfectly content with where I’m at.
You seem to have the entire state of California confused with Southern California. Have you ever been to Yosemite, Humboldt County, Santa Cruz, Carmel, Napa, Sonoma, Lake Tahoe, Big Sur, even San Francisco defies many of your descriptions.
Considering that Oregon’s population is 3,825,657 and California’s is 36,961,664, California is much more diverse. California is also the 3rd largest state, while Oregon is 9th. California can’t really be summed up so easily.
Both states are awesome and have their pros and cons, but I feel that you have misrepresented California in this post. I’m happy you like Oregon, but I disagree with your characterization of California as a whole.
Thanks so much for your comment!
My article is based on my experience growing up in the San Francisco Bay Area. I didn’t realize many of these “annoyances” until I moved out of state. Everyone makes fun of the arrogance of Californians– they’re constant pride about the greatness of the state. I always denied that was the case, but it really is true.
I think your points are totally valid, and it IS hard to sum up any state in such a short post. It’s all about personal preferences and length of time spent there and other mitigating factors. I spent 20+ years in California, and only a handful here in Oregon. I was bound to give a harder beating to California simply because we have a much closer relationship
Thanks again for your comment! Much appreciated.
Cute post!
I’ve lived in Southern Ca my entire life and it’s awesome but now that I’m getting out of my mid twenties I’ve been looking into moving to pursue work.The cost of living here in any major city down here is ridiculous and is even worse in the Bay Area (as you know).
Anyways, I appreciate the post. I’m coming up next month to look around and I am extremely excited about the beer, the fact that there is good public transport, and relaxed vibe.
Thanks for stopping by!
The cost of living is the biggest reasons I left California. I didn’t want to be one of those people pouring every penny I had into a home….for 30 years. EEK. It makes me sick thinking about it.
Ah! I hope you have a great time while you’re here. We’ve had a pretty mild winter so you probably won’t get rained on too much. Make sure to drink *plenty* of beer!
As for seasons, I would say the Portland area of Oregon only has two. Rain, and Construction season.
Sorry, never saw this until now. Wanted to tell you that this made me laughs because it’s true. You must have lived here at one point
Im considering moving to OR. as we speak. Ive lived in the bay area and sacramento area my whole life. My band has toured through Oregon many times, and every time, I didn’t want to leave. I have a few friends in Portland. My main concern is the job market there? I currently work in sign making and design, but I’m no stranger to labor. Thanks for your post here!
Thanks so much for stopping by and reading the post! I will say that this is a very tongue in cheek post, and I don’t harbor any ill will towards either place. We’ve all got to find our bliss
The job market is tough, but I think it is everywhere. The good thing about here is that you can find a temp job or service job and still make ends meet. The same is not true for California. You have to land a GOOD job right away to support yourself.
My advice is to sort of look at the jobs you’d be qualified for over the next couple of months. Are there plenty of them? Do you feel like you have enough experience? You’ll be okay then. It took me a little over 2 months to find a job when I first moved here so just make sure you have some pocket change when you land.
Feel free to e-mail me at SipsofJenandTonic@gmail.com if you have any other questions
This post really helped me decide to take the leap and move to Oregon. I’m born and raised in southern California. It’s all I know. I always said there’s nowhere I’d rather live, especially after living in San Diego for last six years. It’s virtually Maui in some areas! The crazy hot summer and high gas prices last year snapped something in me. I thought for the first time that this isn’t the best place in the world. I started looking into Portland and realized it’s a really desirable place to live in US, despite it’s rain and gloom. So this summer my wife and I are taking the leap and moving to Oregon to see if it fits us. My plan is to give it three years, no matter how bad I want to move back (I know I will). I visited Portland and Corvallis for a week to visit family and friends, I loved it! I love all the greenery, the Willamette, beer, bridges, food, no sales tax, slow-driving, and, most of all, affordable homes! Thanks again!
Wow! Congrats on making the move.
To be honest, it isn’t as rainy and gloomy as everyone says it is. I mean, it’s cold, but it’s not as terrible as people make it out to be. You’ll adjust after the first winter here.
I think giving yourself three years is a smart idea. I didn’t feel really in love with Portland until I was here about 2 1/2 years. It’s really different from CA (I’m from San Jose) and it takes awhile to get accustomed to all of the lifestyle differences.
Best of luck!
Hi there-
Read this list of Pros and cons about Oregon Vs Cali. I really enjoyed it. I was wondering if you are still living in Oregon or did you eventually go back to Cali?
I am a native Texan who lived in Oregon for over 9 years. Loved it with the exception of the weather. Have been back in Texas for almost 2 years now…and honestly I’m wondering why I came back. I’m considering going back to Oregon but the thing that scares me more than the weather is employment.
Any help would be great. Thanks again for the comparisons!
Paul
I’m still here in Oregon. I’ve visited California several times since I’ve moved here, and I’m convinced more and more each time this was the right move.
Employment is difficult to find, not going to lie. I think if you have some money saved up (5-6 months’ worth) then you should be fine. It takes most people a few months to find a job. Not sure why that is, but it seems to be the norm.
Feel free to send me an e-mail if you want to talk about this in a not-so-public setting: SipsofJenandTonic@gmail.com.
So I have given it more thought. I’m definitely leaning towards going back.
Money permitting maybe end of summer this year. At the latest just after the 1st of the year.
I wish I could put my finger on what it was that drew me back here to Texas. I have not figured that one out yet and not sure I ever will.
I know It certainly hasn’t been what I had remembered. One of the things I miss about Oregon is the small town feel.
If you know anyone in the financial institution business in Oregon I’d love to here from them as that’s the business I am in and would love to make some connections before I move back.
I can be emailed at pbutler0412@gmail.com.
Thanks again for the great list!!!
Paul- just saw this comment. Did you ever send the e-mail? I never received it. Feel free to resend!
Yes, I did send it. I will have to look and see if it is still in my sent folder.
Sent via BlackBerry from T-Mobile
What about family? I have a tight family in socal. I think that would be hard only seeing them once or twice a year.That would be a deal breaker… It seems like all my friends move back eventually to Cali for this reason…
I think if your family is really close, it may be hard to be anywhere that isn’t where they are. My family lives in NorCal, and it’s a short flight home. There are always good deals between here and there on Southwest.
I think, more than anything, it’s an adjustment to move anywhere. I think the homesickness for what you know is worse than anything else. I’d say it took me a full two years before I got over that.